Seven years out of an OEM battery? That's a long time.

 

yes yes it is.

 

Battery maintenance used to be first thing covered in auto mechanics classes in high school. Obviously maintenance free batteries have made such things unnecessary. But as indicated the oxidation can be neutralized using a baking soda mixture and clean solid connections are key to not having this problem. Good luck OP and all others who are learning auto mechanics while owning a Jeep!

 

That's what I was thinking, so I wasn't too upset with buying another one. If I had properly cleaned that terminal it may have been even longer.

 

I will admit I've learned a ton doing all the work I'm comfortable doing on my own. All the help received from this forum makes it all possible!

 

I'd say 5 years is about what you get out of an oem battery. So you were on borrowed time.
Best way to learn is to rip it apart.